New Poll Shows 54% Mainers Believe Same Sex Marriage Should Be Legal

A survey conducted by North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling of 1,256 Mainers over the weekend revealed that 54 percent believe same-sex marriage should be legal. Forty-one percent said Maine should not allow gay couples to wed.

When asked a question that is similar to what will be on the ballot — “Do you favor a law allowing marriage licenses for same-sex couples that protects religious freedom by ensuring no religion or clergy be required to perform such a marriage in violation of their religious beliefs?” — 47 percent of those polled said yes, 32 percent said no and 21 percent were not sure.

“It looks like Maine will reverse its 2009 vote on gay marriage this fall,” said Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling. “That’s symbolic of the shift in public opinion that’s occurred on this issue over the last few years.”

From EqualityMaine’s press release:
“This poll is consistent with what we’ve been hearing all around Maine,” said Betsy Smith, the executive director of EqualityMaine, which is part of the Freedom to Marry Coalition. “Since 2009, our coalition has knocked on more than 100,000 doors and had 40,000 conversations about marriage. People are changing their minds. They understand that same-sex couples want to get married for the same reason as other couples: Because they love each other and want to be together for life.”